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Summary:
Ever wonder what Mennonite spirituality is or if there is such a thing?
Gordon Houser explores the heart of Mennonite spirituality and how
Mennonite spiritual practices may succeed or fall short. Present Tense
is not a grammar book but a personal and incisive look at what lies at
the heart of Mennonite (and Christian) living. Learn how practice makes
perfect, how patience brings peace, how prayer and politics are present
in play. (And that sentence refers to all eight chapters.) In his Foreword, Richard Rohr insightfully places Present Tense in the context of his view of Mennonites then concludes, "That’s the way I see it, anyway. But read this inspiring book, and you will know how Gordon Houser sees it—which is much better." "Houser’s
gentle, forthright, and theologically astute voice has nothing to
prove. His many years as an ‘insider’—a church journalist—and
‘outsider’—one who did not grow up Mennonite—render these reflections
on Mennonite spirituality into a unique alloy of intimacy and
objectivity. Read this book if you are Mennonite, if you’d like to be
one, or if you are just curious about what makes Mennonites tick."
—Valerie Weaver-Zercher, Contributing Editor to Sojourners "Wise, gentle and grace-filled reflections on spirituality from a Mennonite perspective. I recommend it highly!" —John D. Roth, Professor of History, Goshen College "A
journalist who goes exploring spirituality is not uncommon, but one who
examines spiritual practices and then lets those practices examine the
writer’s soul—uncommon! A spiritual observer whose moves from observing
as examination to observing as participation. Gordon Houser has
looked at the practices valued highly in his Mennonite
community—patient following, peaceful reconciling, political integrity,
playful relating, prayerful thinking, perfect imperfection and
celebrating the present—and allowed them to be a mirror of his own life
in the Spirit and as a member of ‘the community of the Spirit.’ He did
not write of the Anabaptist virtue of humility, he demonstrated it. The
book is a great read, except for when it starts reading you back and
nudging to practice things left unpracticed." —David Augsburger, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary "Gordon Houser has a way with words—a way that is warm and winsome, witty and wise." —Arthur Boers, Associate Professor, R.J. Bernardo Family Chair of Leadership, Tyndale Seminary Market:
Discussion groups, students, church libraries, pastors, congregational
leaders; anyone interested in spirituality and particularly Mennonite
spirituality. Shelving: Spirituality—Mennonite; Personal experience—inspirational, devotional. Theology—Anabaptist, Mennonite; BISAC: Religion The Author: Gordon Houser is a long-time Mennonite journalist and church member who came to the Mennonite faith as a young adult. He is the author of Relatively Speaking: Strengthening Families Ties and and contributed to Wrestling with God: Devotions for Men. He serves as associate editor of The Mennonite. Publisher: Cascadia
Publishing House LLC |
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